 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: vparker86
Date: 2014-03-16 00:26
I have heard a few mouthpieces that are good for beginners like the 5RV / lyre but I wanted to get a few other ideas, thanks.
Victoria
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-03-16 00:36
Fobes Debut
Behn Ouverture
Hite Premiere
All in the sub-$40 comfort zone.
--
Ben
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Author: MSK
Date: 2014-03-16 01:01
I also like the Fobes Debut. It is just as good as the Vandoren for less than half the cost. I've heard good things about the Hite, but have no personal experience.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-03-15 21:15
The Vandoren 5RV Lyre is a professional level mouthpiece. But I'm sure a beginner won't mind using it.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-03-16 02:24
The Fobes Debut and the Hite Premier are both excellent and inexpensive. Personally I think the Yamaha C4 and C5 are good novice mouthpieces, but they don't seem to suit everybody.
Tony F.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-03-16 04:15
I vote for the Debut for beginners ... if the store that you buy one will let you examine several before you buy, look for the tip rail being very uniform. They all play a bit different but are more consistent than many pro MPs. Easy high notes and response. I have several but don't use them often ... a little too bright and free blowing for me ... depends on the venue.
The Hite is good also, less consistent than the Debut but has a deeper sound, IMHO. A good one is maybe better than the Debut, for some people. The Hites are sold in little sealed boxes, so your music store may not let you take a look at them before you purchase.
Haven't played the Behn.
The Ridenour RE10 is also excellent but is more resistant then the Debut and Hite and has a darker, covered sound (wide side and tip rails). It's a little more expensive, but you might like it better. I played one for about a year ... and occasionally use mine (I have two) still. Very uniform blowing resistance from note to note, register to register.
I list these because they are all made from the same (??) blank made by J.J. Babbit. Each manufacturer had their own facing and internal adjustments. The material is injection molded Acrylic plastic.
I don't think the material makes quite as much difference as you'd think in the sound of the MP as it does the rest of the instrument (especially the barrel and bell). I believe this is because of the damping of the MP material due to the lips, ligature and reed that it is in contact with. In any case, the Acrylic plastic seems to be OK to me ... The MPs made from "A grade"rod rubber may indeed have a edge on plastics (or other hard rubber blends) ... I'm sure many are convinced.
Tom
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2014-03-16 00:24
David Mcclune also offers a custom student MP, the "Plato"
Post Edited (2014-03-16 04:27)
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Author: Clarijan
Date: 2014-03-16 06:41
I heartily recommend the Lomax Prelude. It's great for a beginner because it blows freely with a focused sound, great response and great pitch. And the cost is around $45. You can't beat it!
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Author: am0032
Date: 2014-03-16 03:25
Scott Kurtsweil's JCII student clarinet mouthpiece is spectacular and only $25. Plays better than most mouthpieces at 10 times the price. Highly recommended.
Adam
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-03-17 18:59
If you're primarily going to study classical clarinet in an orchestral/chamber setting, I suggest the Ridenour Encore. These have a rich and centered sound, even response, accurate pitch, and have a light, useful resistance to them.
For all-around band playing--concert band, pep band, marching band, jazz/stage band--I'd go with the Fobes Debut. It's a little brighter than the Ridenour, but less resistant, more forgiving of subpar reeds, and offers more general flexibility. Just about any style of music can be played on the Debut--just add an appropriate reed and you're good to go.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2014-03-17 19:12
What exactly is the thinking behind "beginner's" mouthpieces? Is it mostly a calculation of the best sound quality for the least cost? Would a beginner's progress actually be harmed by starting off on a professional mouthpiece? Or is it more a matter of the student possibly losing interest and and not being able to recoup the price of an expensive piece?
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-03-17 19:49
One could think of these as quality mouthpieces made out of inexpensive materials that can be sold for less than traditional hard rubber mouthpieces.
They aren't just for beginners. If you play a gig in a beer tent or while strolling around in a park, for example, you'd certainly not even think of risking damage to your handcrafted, potentially irreplaceable professional mouthpiece--you would use something decent and inexpensive. That's what I use my Fobes Debut for. And it's no slouch.
All that having been said, the best possible mouthpiece for a beginner is, in fact, a carefully chosen professional mouthpiece. Many, many clarinetists have started their playing careers learning on various Selmer and Vandoren mouthpieces, among others. But Vandorens run about $100 these days, and Selmers even more than that. Until one can be sure that a student is careful enough to not ruin an expensive mouthpiece, something in the $30 range is eminently sensible.
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